My Boyfriend is a Freak (Published under Pop Fiction)

The Montevillas' First Christmas: A Special Chapter

Mira

Hindi ko alam kung bakit required sa mga maybahay ang kaalaman sa kusina. Like, hello? Bakit may stereotyping na kailangang maganap? Hindi ba pwedeng ang asawang lalaki ang maging punong-abala sa pagluluto ng Christmas dinner?

As it happens, that is not the case.

Dahil first Christmas ko ito bilang Mrs. Montevilla, everybody expected me to be extra-kitchenwise today. Except that I didn't feel like cooking anymore while my nerves are acting up, and for that matter, wala naman talaga akong Spanish dishes na alam iluto. I even had to buy a cookbook just for tonight's noche buena.

Kung pwede lang na pritong itlog na lang ang ihain ko mamayang gabi. But noooo.

"Babe, have you decided what to prepare first?" Vren's voice jolted me back to reality. "Everyone will be here soon."

"Ah, eh... Hehe." Hindi ko magawang tumingin nang diretso kay Mr. Montevilla. "Vren, kasi..."

"Is there any problem?" My husband peered at me in concern. "Do you need help?"

Mirathea, hindi ba't idea mo ang Spanish dinner na 'to? Panindigan mo 'yan!

More than anything, I was making all these efforts to let Vren know na sobrang espesyal sa akin ang unang Pasko na magkasama kami as husband and wife. Let's face it — kapag mahal mo ang isang tao, gagawin mo ang lahat para maiparamdam ito sa kanya, diba?

Even if it means spending hours and hours in the kitchen, which I really dread. Mabuti sana kung nadadaan sa depreciation at amortization ang cooking, e.

"Help? Ay, hindi!" Pinilit kong bigyan ng perfectly-OK smile si Vren. "Kaya ko 'to. Parang pagluluto lang, sus. Mas madali nga 'to sa paggawa ng financial statements."

"You sure?" My husband gave me a dubious look. "Alright, then. Call me when you start with the langostinos."

****

Bwisit na langostinos na 'yan!

Kung alam ko lang na katakut-takot pala ang pagdadaanan ko bago ko ma-achieve ang pink sauce ng langostinos con salsa rosa, e 'di sana ay simpleng sinabawang hipon na lang ang iniluto ko. Same ingredients, minus all the hard work.

Mabuti na lang at sagot ni Mommy Vina ang cordero asado na isa sa mga main dish namin mamaya. Although, I didn't know kung saan nakahagilap ng lamb meat ang nanay ni Vren at this time of the year. Ang tanging alam ko lang na cordero ay 'yong kinakanta sa simbahan tuwing may misa.

"This smells delicious." I couldn't help but grin proudly dahil sa sinabing 'yan ni Vren habang nakadungaw siya sa pinaglutuan ko ng langostinos. Sana nga lang, hindi lang hanggang amoy ang sarap ng prawns with pink sauce na ginawa ko.

Okay, Mira. One down, a dozen more to go.

Alright, medyo OA naman 'yong "a dozen". Aside from the prawns, I only had to prepare the esparragos blancos, ensalada de endibia con vinagreta, tortilla espaniola, and the mantecados. Si Vren naman ang punong abala sa drinks — cava a.k.a. Spanish sparkling wine, at anise liqueur. Pero duda ako kung matitikman ko ang mga 'yan mamaya. I don't take alcoholic drinks kasi. Mag-a-iced tea na lang siguro ako.

I was about to start preparing the asparagus when Vren hugged me from behind. I felt a delicious shiver run down my spine as my husband trapped me between his sinewy arms.

"Merry Christmas, Dimwit," he murmured, his head resting on my shoulder.

I smiled, a bunch of asparagus clutched in my hand. "Merry Christmas, Freak."